Lee Coate and Simon Doong from A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast conversed with me on the themes of the Sermon on the Mount and on Christianity in the time of Empire (and conservative Christians cult mentalities) To watch the (unedited) conversation go here: YouTube.com/@Sparkmymuse Here's the book getting into the wild! Some launch team readers got their copy and my do they seem excited. • Get your copy here: tiny.cc/elders

Eps 239: Lee and Simon from a Presby Podcast

Today I feature a friend of the pod, Rev Jenn Layte to converse about her newest book Follower: How Getting Close to Jesus Brings You to Yourself Please check out my YouTube Channel and subscribe. I'm pivoting beyond audio to video which also includes my Substack page

Eps 238 Jenn Layte, Follower and hearing the voice of God

Hi friends,

CLICK OVER to the http://youtube.com/@SparkmymuseYOUTUBE Channel [http://youtube.com/@Sparkmymuse] http://youtube.com/@Sparkmymuseto hear the rest: a brief piece on Paul Tillich and nurturing mature concepts of God.

Hey- What if we take this a step further: If you learn something send over a tip ❤️ HERE [http://paypal.me/lisacolondelay], my darlings.



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Why we keep pre-school notions of God

THAT VIDEO IS a wee CLIP. See the rest here [https://youtu.be/ChW5_XygZOo] and subscribe to the channel for more upcoming lessons I’m learning from the road.

Hi there!

Despite my Lyme infested tick bite, and stepping on a razor blade, and struggling my post-surgery sinus issues, and getting my website hosed during a cyber attack, I’ve also started working for Diakon [https://www.diakon.org] as a driver to deliver Meals-on-Wheels.

My county (in Pennsylvania) is LARGE with a large population of elderly and 650 older people get fed three days a week (5 meals total) through the program here. But, it takes an army of volunteers to happen.

If you’re at a point where you feel disconnected from others, volunteering creates so many pathways for meaning and connection. Connect with a senior center near you if you have the margin for it!

I can tell you from recent personal experience, less time on the SCREEN and more time speaking with others and helping makes huge difference for everyone one involved.

I’ve learned that when we find a way to be of service, we are be saved from ourselves (from all kinds of torment and destruction!) ❤️



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkmymuse.substack.com/subscribe [https://sparkmymuse.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

I got Meals on my Wheels

Hi friends,

This is going out earlier than the typical WEDNESDAY release because this post in ALSO an Announcement 😍

This clip above has a full 5 min version. Check out the rest here [http://youtube.com/@Sparkmymuse] (including the link to the David Bentley Hart session that inspired this video)

and please SUBSCRIBE when you get to the channel.

Especially, because it is subscribers that can attend LIVE STREAM EVENTS

And there is one coming SUNDAY - I hope you can come!

LIVE EVENT info!

Sunday October 19 at 4pm EST join me for a short talk about the desert elders and the chotki - Or, how to use an Eastern Orthodox Prayer Rope. Go HERE [https://youtube.com/live/9sa1Xlvowbk].

And we will have a time of desert elder inspired styled prayer as well.

WHO IS INCLUDED?It’s open to Subscribers (of at least 5 min) and totally free.

Also, if you’d like your own prayer rope and class-related materials you can get those here [https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/NUFLNPTL7G9JS] for a small cost.



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Why "Metanoia" means more than 'repentance' in Greek 

Today is a conversation with Grace Hamman, PhD about her wonderful new book "Ask of Old Paths: Medieval Virtues and Vices for a Whole and Holy Life" Find photos, video, book link, and more at the substack Get my new book pairs well with Grace's (The Way of the Desert Elders) here

Eps. 237: Hedgehogs, Basilisks, Unicorns, and learning from Medieval teachings

Hi there,

I’m revisiting theme from my book and this time clarifying distinctions in the early church that we don’t learn about in the West.

View the FULL VIDEO at the YouTube Channel [http://youtube.com/@Sparkmymuse] and please subscribe! ❤️



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What is ORIENTAL Orthodox?

This week I’m away in Ocean City, Maryland. Today is furiously windy and the sea is tumultuous and grey. The rain comes at me sideways and I’m inside, so I want to share a few of my favorite photos from this week and three poems (see video).



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The Art of Losing Things

A special reading from Way of the Desert Elders

ARRIVED: Advanced Reader Copies [SSL 344]

Some people will tell you that without a threat of fiery eternal damnation, no one few will seek God, but the insights of a intellectual giant in our times show us that what we think of as free choice has a fatal flaw and proves to be absurd in light of who God is and how knowledge sets us free to choose the best choice.

Refinement (purgation) and Restoration are the goal of any Good God, or even a good parent. But, eternal retribution is not possible for a Good Creator, says Hart.

For Hart, God is not Just or Good either to send people to hell or to allow people to choose in a less than free state. Just like we would be a monster if we slapped a blind child for making a mistake because they could not see.

And of all beings, God would be a moral monster, evil, to punish people for what they can’t help but choose. The contradict is something most of us have not struggled with much—we may just accept the (false) idea that a Good God could hurt their creation or that only a person in bondage of some form of illness would choose against their best good.

Admittedly, few of us today will be willing to immediately accept ideas so foreign to our common understanding of choice or eternal consequences. They are JARRING, especially at first. But, hold them for a moment.

I find such concepts compelling as they follow logically, experientially, and scripturally.

You can find out more in his book. But, it’s for vigilant readers and thinkers—be warned. Not a quick read!

Could it be that the ideas about HELL were created to manipulate us?

Who is God REALLY? And what is possible for a Good God? Where have we been wrong in understanding God’s goodness and more importantly, how does this play out in how we treat others or find compassion for those who suffer.

I contend that if God is morally allowed to be a monster, and we find God’s torture of others acceptable, it WILL affect who we are as people and how we live our lives. Like as “little Christs” but as little monsters.

Most intriguing is the way we’ve understand free will and choice is critically flawed and Hart details why.I present his thoughts in longer video (4-5min) which you are invited to view in its entirety here: youtube.com/@Sparkmymuse [http://youtube.com/@Sparkmymuse]

I have extras for those who have a paid subscription ⬇️

Hi friends,

For those of you paying and supporting this, I want add more.

DBH’s book is TOUGH sledding and he also can be difficult to understand or follow as he explains himself. I found this out as I watched the interview video that inspired this post and video I made.

But, I want these ideas more widely available and if you have an interest, you might want to watch the interview video also. Find that here [https://www.youtube.com/live/34YSGSrAA5o?si=rGmqAFdBlnbwFftu].

Thank you for reading and watching today.-Lisa



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No HELL, but Theosis

Conversations and enriching content to set alight your inner life and our life
together

Spark My Muse

The next iteration of the Spark My Muse Project with Lisa Colón DeLay

sparkmymuse.substack.com [https://sparkmymuse.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast]

Lisa Colon DeLay

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